<p>Rampant commercialisation of Kundalahalli, East Bengaluru, is worrying residents, who are now increasingly feeling its effects.</p>.<p>“The level of commercialisation on the main street is now reaching 100%. This has spread to the inner roads as well. A plethora of commercial establishments is mushrooming within this residential area. They have taken over the pavements,” said George Thomas, a resident from AECS Layout, who has stayed in the area for more than a decade.</p>.<p>However, BBMP officials said they have started issuing notices to illegal commercial establishments with fake or no trade licenses since February.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, residents are also concerned over other civic issues.</p>.<p class="CrossHead"><strong>Garbage ‘bribe’</strong></p>.<p>They said they have to pay “bribe” to garbage collectors to pick up the garbage from the area.</p>.<p>The branches of the trees that the Bescom pruned recently have been left on the roads and corners unattended, they complained.</p>.<p>Some residents also complained about the encroachment of stormwater drains, which are blocked due to the dumping of waste.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, BBMP officials claimed that they were working on desilting the drains and clearing the encroachments.</p>.<p>“There is a flagrant violation of building rules. Earlier, three-floor apartments were constructed on 30X40 sites. Now we have seven-storey apartments coming up on 50X80 sites. Sites which were intended for a single-family are now housing 20 to 30 families. Construction materials obstruct every road in this layout,” said Thomas. </p>
<p>Rampant commercialisation of Kundalahalli, East Bengaluru, is worrying residents, who are now increasingly feeling its effects.</p>.<p>“The level of commercialisation on the main street is now reaching 100%. This has spread to the inner roads as well. A plethora of commercial establishments is mushrooming within this residential area. They have taken over the pavements,” said George Thomas, a resident from AECS Layout, who has stayed in the area for more than a decade.</p>.<p>However, BBMP officials said they have started issuing notices to illegal commercial establishments with fake or no trade licenses since February.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, residents are also concerned over other civic issues.</p>.<p class="CrossHead"><strong>Garbage ‘bribe’</strong></p>.<p>They said they have to pay “bribe” to garbage collectors to pick up the garbage from the area.</p>.<p>The branches of the trees that the Bescom pruned recently have been left on the roads and corners unattended, they complained.</p>.<p>Some residents also complained about the encroachment of stormwater drains, which are blocked due to the dumping of waste.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, BBMP officials claimed that they were working on desilting the drains and clearing the encroachments.</p>.<p>“There is a flagrant violation of building rules. Earlier, three-floor apartments were constructed on 30X40 sites. Now we have seven-storey apartments coming up on 50X80 sites. Sites which were intended for a single-family are now housing 20 to 30 families. Construction materials obstruct every road in this layout,” said Thomas. </p>